Traditional Religious Orders for Women

Tridentine Community News (February 12, 2012):

Much press is given to the booming congregations of priests devoted to the Traditional Latin Mass. It’s hard to escape news of the ongoing successes and growth of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, the Institute of Christ the King, the Institute of the Good Shepherd, the Wyoming Carmelite Monks, the monks of Le Barroux, and similar groups, for good reason: These are some of the fastest growing sources of vocations in the Church today. Likewise, much attention is given to those communities of priests which embrace the Extraordinary Form in conjunction with the Ordinary Form, such as the Oratorian Fathers of Toronto, London, and Oxford; and the Society of St. John Cantius in Chicago. It’s a proven fact that the Extraordinary Form tends to bring along vocations in its wake.

Less frequently in the press but equally significant are the religious orders for women whose spiritual life is centered on the Tridentine Mass and the Traditional Divine Office. Relative to their male brethren, these orders are newer and earlier along in the process of establishment. Nonetheless, they, too are doing exceptionally well with regards to vocations. The most prominent examples are:

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles are the oldest and best-known traditional order. Based in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri under Bishop Robert Finn, these sisters have an active vestment-making apostolate.
http://benedictinesofmary.org/

The Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart, based near Florence, Italy, are the female branch of the Institute of Christ the King. Having outgrown their first home, they are currently restoring a manor house to serve as their new convent. http://www.institute-christ-king.org/vocations/sisters/

The Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Valparaiso, Nebraska is affiliated with the Fraternity of St. Peter and is located near their seminary. Photos of the sisters’ chapel seem to indicate an historic building, but this is surprisingly not the case. This is a new foundation in a new building that was outfitted with historic furnishings salvaged from other churches. Interestingly, the chaplain of this Carmel is not from the FSSP; Msgr. Timothy Thorburn is actually the Vicar General of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska – a diocesan priest who has taken on a Tridentine apostolate. Extraordinary, indeed.
http://www.dioceseoflincoln.org/Directory/directory_wr-carmelite.aspx

The Benedictine Oblate Sisters of Clear Creek are the female branch of Clear Creek Abbey near Tulsa, Oklahoma. Clear Creek is a branch of the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Fontgombault in France, known for its rich liturgical life.
http://www.clearcreeksisters.org/

The Sisters of Saint Benedict Center, Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are part of the diocesan-approved St. Benedict Center in Worcester, Massachusetts and have a catechetical apostolate: http://sistersofstbenedictcenter.org/

Benedictine Nuns of Le Barroux, France: A French equivalent to the Clear Creek Sisters, these sisters are the female branch of another Abbey associated with the Traditional Divine Office.
http://www.abbaye-annonciation.org/english.html

The Canonesses Regular of the Mother of God of Lagrasse, France are the female branch of yet another Abbey.
http://www.lagrassecanons.com/

The Sisters of the Oasis of Jesus, Priest in Barcelona, Spain
http://www.oasisjesussacerdote.es

Sisters, especially cloistered nuns, can be notoriously publicity-shy. If you are aware of additional groups of sisters that deserve mention, please e-mail the address at the bottom of this page.

Last Week’s Column Available

With apologies to readers at St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary, insufficient copies of last week’s column about Stained Glass were printed for the new cluster bulletin run. If you would like a copy of last week’s Tridentine Community News, please e-mail the address at the bottom of this page or call (248) 250-2740, and we will gladly e-mail or mail a copy to you.

Reception of a Convert

For the third year in a row, the Tridentine Community at Windsor’s Assumption Church will receive a convert to the Catholic Faith according to the Extraordinary Form Ritual. All are invited to attend this rarely-seen ceremony, during Holy Mass next Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 PM.

Tridentine Masses This Coming Week

Mon. 02/13 7:00 PM: Low Mass at St. Josaphat (Feria [Celebrant may choose a Votive Mass])

Tue. 02/14 7:00 PM: Requiem Mass at Assumption-Windsor (Daily Mass for the Dead with Absolution at the Catafalque)

Sun. 02/19 Noon: High Mass at St. Albertus (Quinquagesima Sunday)

[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@stjosaphatchurch.org. Previous columns are available at www.stjosaphatchurch.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Josaphat bulletin insert for February 12, 2012. Hat tip to A.B.]